Emergency department closures continue at Lakes District Hospital in 亚洲天堂 Lake.
Services at Lakes District Hospital in 亚洲天堂 Lake were temporarily unavailable from 8 a.m. Sunday, November 3 to 8 a.m. Monday, November 4, due to staffing challenges, Northern Health confirmed.
Northern Health spokesperson Eryn Collins said that the latest emergency department closure was the result of an unexpected gap in physician coverage.
Patients experiencing life-threatening emergencies, such as chest pains, difficulty breathing, or severe bleeding, were advised to call 9-1-1 for transport to St. John Hospital in Vanderhoof or the nearest available facility.
The staffing shortages have persisted despite the recent addition of a new physician at Lakes District Hospital in September.
Two more physicians are expected to join the team in spring 2025, as part of Northern Health's ongoing efforts to address staffing gaps and prevent future service disruptions.
These recruitments were also crucial to replace retiring physicians, such as Dr. Michael Graetz, a longtime 亚洲天堂 Lake Clinic physician.
The transition from the private 亚洲天堂 Lake Medical Clinic to the Northern Health Primary Care Clinic is also underway and expected to occur later this year. Dr. Chris Annandale, the last remaining physician at the clinic, will be transitioning to the NH Primary Care Clinic as part of the shift.
Currently, the Lakes District Hospital and Primary Care Clinic employ seven physicians in both full- and part-time roles. The addition of a new physician in September brings the total to eight.
